Online Learning Communities (OLCs): Why might they be important?

1. Tech Tool Tryout: iTunes & Podcasts. Approximately 2 hours.
   • As you do this assignment, there are two concepts to consider, 1) how might podcasts (audio) enhance online learning community and 2) how does the Alan November podcasts you listen to relate to the concept of online learning community?
   • Download iTunes
     • If you don't have iTunes, download it from http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
   • Find, Download, & Listen to two November Learning Podcast Series Podcasts
     • Open iTunes
     • Click on iTunes Store on the left under Store
     • At the top, in the upper right is a search box, type in November Learning Podcast Series, this is what you should see:

       

        

     • Click on Subscribe and when it asks "Are you sure...," click Subscribe again
     • In the upper left, under Library, click on Podcasts
     • You should have there November Learning Podcast Series with a "twistie" on the left

       

        

     • Click on the twistie if you do not see a list of podcasts
     • For me, the Global Work Ethic podcast downloaded and for the rest, there is a GET option next to the others, you might have to click on GET if it didn't download and if you want any of the others.
     • Double click on the Global Work Ethic podcast or click the play button and listen to it.
     • Pick one other to GET and listen to it. You may want to GET a few because they are all different lengths.
   • Additional Resource for this assignment
     • CastingWords.com is pretty cool. Late one evening I submitted the Global Ethics podcast to be transcribed. In less than 24 hours (and at only $.42 a minute for a total under $3), I received the following:
       • We've just finished transcribing a podcast for you, "global ethics".

         The text is below [in an email] and you can download the results in these formats as well:

         RTF: http://castingwords.com/transcripts/BcL/20476.rtf

         html: http://castingwords.com/transcripts/BcL/20476.html

         text: http://castingwords.com/transcripts/BcL/20476.txt

       Please write if you have any questions or comments. We look forward to

       transcribing more audio for you in the future!

       The castingWords team,

       support@castingwords.com

       http://castingwords.com

       more formats:

       alternate html: http://castingwords.com/transcripts/BcL/20476-a.html

       formated text: http://castingwords.com/transcripts/BcL/20476.text

     • Enjoy! And please let us know at any time if there are any other podcast transcripts needed for successful completion of this course/program.
2. Discussion: Why might online communities be important? Approximately 1 hour.
   • In the comments for this wiki consider the following and answer the questions posed:
     • "The sum of the expertise of the people in the audience is greater than the sum of expertise of the people on stage" (Dave Winer, What is an Unconference?). As you ponder the following questions, consider your reading thus far, the podcasts you just listened to, Dave Winer's quote, and how you are feeling about online community at this time:
     • Why might learning communities be important? Why might online learning communities be important?
     • Is there a difference in the needs of learning communities that are face-to-face vs. online?
     • Why might utilizing online learning communities with your projects be important?
3. Responses: Why might online communities be important? Approximately 1 hour.
   • Review each others' comments and reply to them. Based on your reading thus far, the podcasts you listened to, Dave Winer's quote, and how you are feeling about online community at this time your responses should:
     • request clarification of all or part of the learner's answer and/or
     • add additional information to all or part of the learner's answer

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